Brownwood won the initial set, 25-17, but Abilene grabbed the second and third sets, 25-18 and 25-17. With their backs against the wall, the Lady Lions forced a tie-breaking fifth set by capturing the fourth, 27-25. Brownwood needed extra points in the finale as well, but came away with an 18-16 triumph to take the match.

“Tonight was a pivotal moment for us,” Kennedy said. “Earlier in the season when we were pushed we didn’t fight back. Tonight the girls finally pushed back and finished the fight.”

Torrey Miller recorded a season-best 27 kills to pace the Brownwood attack, trailed by eight from Mikaela Smith, six apiece from Cheyenne Stroope and Aleyia Cotton, five from Ashlynn Patteson and one apiece from Tyra Cotton and Hadley Monroe.

Hadley Monroe also distributed 27 assists while Davalynn Monroe dished out 20, and Miller and Aleyia Cotton recorded one each.

Behind the service line, Hadley Monroe notched three aces followed by Patteson and Davalynn Monroe with two each.

On the defensive end, Miller also led Brownwood with 21 digs followed 13 from Patteson, 11 each from Annie Gillispie and Aleyia Cotton, nine from Davalynn Monroe, four from Hadley Monroe, three from Smith and one apiece by Stroope and Tyra Cotton.

At the net, Miller finished with six blocks, Stroope added four, Aleyia Cotton collected two and Smith and Tyra Cotton tallied one each.

The Lady Lions (7-13) are back in action at 6 p.m. Friday when they welcome Class 4A No. 4 Graham to Warren Gym.